The most flattering fringes for women over 50 - including the 'choppy Birkin' - and the 'ageing' one to avoid

Getting a fringe can feel like a big commitment, but it's a simple way to switch up your look for the season ahead while keeping the rest of your hair to your taste.For women over 50, though, taking the plunge can feel like an even more daunting decision, even when it involves just a few inches of hair.But there's plenty of inspiration to be found among the stars, with Pamela Anderson, Penélope Cruz, and Nicole Kidman proving that a chic fringe can look stylish at any age.When you find the right fringe, the results can be transformative. The perfect cut can work wonders, softening facial features, framing the face and drawing attention to your best assets while providing a subtle, confidence-boosting refresh.Wispy, face-framing strands, for example, can help soften fine lines and bring the focus to your eyes, while side-swept bangs add movement, softness and dimension to your hair.Get it wrong, though, and a fringe can feel unflattering, especially if it doesn’t compliment your hair type or face shape - and the wrong style can even make you look older than you are.Marie Nieuwoudt, Group Education Manager at Cloud Nine Hair said: 'Always consider your natural hair fall and hairline, looking carefully for cowlicks, strong growth patterns or ‘cat’s ears’ that could interfere with how your new fringe sits. Face shape is important, but so is your facial profile.'Worried your hair might be too fine for bangs, or that a fringe could leave you feeling overly exposed? We've spoken to the experts to discover which styles work best for different features, along with the fringes worth avoiding.Flattering fringes for women over 50 Soft side-swept bangs A side-swept fringe, as sported by Martha Stewart, is a great low-maintenance option, with its diagonal shape softening facial features and drawing attention to the eyes It's particularly flattering for anyone who wants to try a fringe without committing to a full, heavy style, as seen on stars like Pamela AndersonA side-swept fringe is a great low-maintenance option, with its diagonal shape softening facial features and drawing attention to the eyes. It's particularly flattering for anyone who wants to try a fringe without committing to a full, heavy style, as seen on stars like Pamela Anderson, 59, and Martha Stewart, 85. Renowned stylist Tatiana Karelina, who makes bespoke clip-in fringes and extensions at Tatiana Karelina, said: 'A soft side-swept fringe is very flattering because it breaks up a straight line across the forehead and brings a gentle diagonal movement to the face. 'It leaves part of the forehead visible and blends beautifully into layers around the cheekbones. Keep the ends light and avoid setting it into a stiff curve, it should fall naturally.'Marie added: 'This look works beautifully on straight and naturally wavy hair. However, it’s important to assess the natural parting and any strong growth patterns before cutting. You don’t want to spend every morning fighting the direction your hair naturally wants to fall.''For daily styling, use your hairdryer to direct the roots into position, then a Cloud Nine Slim Iron with Magical Potion for a soft, polished sweep.' The choppy 'Birkin' fringe Inspired by Jane Birkin and worn beautifully by stars such as Penélope Cruz (pictured), this wispy, slightly undone fringe feels effortless chic all while framing the eyes and cheekbones As seen on Winona Ryder, the 'magic' of the choppy Birkin is in its broken edgeInspired by Jane Birkin and worn beautifully by stars such as Penélope Cruz, 52, and Winona Ryder, 54, this wispy, slightly undone fringe feels effortless chic all while framing the eyes and cheekbones.Gail Waterman, co-founder of Watermans salon Hair and has over 35 years' experience as a hairdresser said the 'magic' of the choppy Birkin is in its broken edge.She explained: 'Point cutting into the ends creates small gaps and texture, so light passes through and the skin shows underneath. That keeps the face open rather than closed off. 'It works because it looks effortless and slightly undone, which reads as youthful and modern rather than "done". It’s best on fine to medium hair with a bit of natural movement and sits beautifully on an oval or heart-shaped face.'Feathered, airy fringe Nicole Kidman, 59, has showcased how beautiful a light, feathered fringe can lookNicole Kidman, 59, has showcased how beautiful a light, feathered fringe can look, with its delicate layers and wispy finish softening the features and creating a youthful, effortless effect. Marie said: 'A feathered fringe is wonderfully elegant and can be particularly flattering when hair density has changed with age or hormonal transitions.'The secret is creating softness without removing too much hair. Fine hair needs enough weight to maintain the shape, while thicker hair may require more careful texturising.'This fringe should move naturally and never look overly set. Use minimal tension when blow-drying and finish with a low-temperature iron to gently polish individual sections.'Tina Farey, Editorial Director at RUSH Hair, added: 'If you have an oval face shape face, then this is the golden ticket for suiting almost any fringe.'If you have a diamond face shape, then a wispy, feathered fringe may not be the best option - instead, I’d recommend longer a face-framing fringe that skim your jawline.' The long curtain fringe As seen Monica Bellucci, a long curtain fringe is a great choice for anyone who wants softness and movement without the upkeep of a shorter, more structured fringe Davina McCall, 59, is also known for her trademark curtain fringeAs seen on Davina McCall, 59, and Monica Bellucci, 62, a long curtain fringe is a great choice for anyone who wants softness and movement without the upkeep of a shorter, more structured fringe. Tatiana said: 'A long curtain fringe is one of the most versatile options because you can adjust where it parts and how much of the face it frames. 'A shorter centre opening into longer pieces towards the cheekbones gives a beautiful, flowing shape. 'It works especially well when those pieces blend into the rest of the haircut, rather than looking like a separate section. Style it with a gentle sweep away from the face.'Tina said: 'A curtain fringe looks great on a round face shape - they create a frame around the face and give the illusion of a more defined jawline and sharper cheekbones.' Marie added: 'This shape works across many hair types, but the length and weight must be tailored to the individual’s density, texture and facial profile.'For styling, use your hairdryer to establish the natural fall, then the Slim Iron to create a subtle bend through the longer sections. Magical Potion will help protect the hair during heat styling.' The midi fringe Halle Berry, 60, has experimented with similar styles, showing how a softly textured, mid-length fringe can add definition without looking too heavySitting somewhere between a full fringe and a curtain style, the midi fringe typically falls around the eyebrows, offering a little more coverage while still feeling light and modern. Halle Berry, 60, has experimented with similar styles, showing how a softly textured, mid-length fringe can add definition without looking too heavy.Gail said: 'This fringe can look chic and confident while keeping the eyes clear. For a softer result, I would give it a lightly broken edge and allow the corners to blend into the sides. 'The precise length matters, so it should be checked when the hair is dry, particularly if there is a natural wave.'Marie added: 'This look can be adapted for straight, wavy and curly hair, but remember that curls will shrink as they dry, so cutting and styling must account for the natural curl pattern.'For straight hair, use Magical Potion and the Slim Iron for a smooth, controlled finish. For naturally curly fringes, Magical Remedy is a lovely choice to help prepare and define the curls while embracing their natural movement.'Unflattering fringes for women over 50Heavy, blunt fringes A thick, blunt fringe - as sported by Claudia Winkleman - can look striking, but without the right cut and proportions, it risks appearing blocky or helmet-like, particularly on finer facial featuresA thick, blunt fringe can look striking, but without the right cut and proportions, it risks appearing blocky or helmet-like, particularly on finer facial features.Callum Ashely Townsend, Curl & Textured hair specialist at Bellissima Italia, said: 'Very thick, blunt fringes can sometimes overwhelm the face, particularly when they're cut straight across without any texture or movement. 'The solid shape can create a shadow over the eyes, making the upper face appear heavier. 'As we get older, I generally recommend opting for softness and movement rather than a rigid finish. Even removing a little weight from the ends or adding subtle layers can make a huge difference in how flattering a fringe looks.'The rounded 'helmet' fringe A heavily rounded fringe that curves tightly across the forehead can look overly structured and create an aging shadow line around the eyes, drawing attention to areas you might prefer to soften.Tatiana commented: 'A very dense fringe, blow-dried into a pronounced rounded shape, can create a solid edge above the eyes. 'Depending on the lighting and where it sits, it can cast a shadow over the eye area, making it appear darker. That combination of weight and a rigid curve can also overwhelm the face.'To soften it, I would reduce excess bulk where appropriate, break up the edge and let the fringe sit more naturally. Small openings between the strands can make a b difference.'The overly short micro fringe Micro fringes can make a bold fashion statement, but their very short length exposes much more of the forehead and can make facial features appear sharper or more pronounced.Callum said: 'Because they sit so high above the eyebrows, they leave the forehead completely exposed. This has a slightly more aventgaurd style. 'They can also create a strong horizontal line that feels quite severe, particularly if the rest of the hairstyle is very structured. If you love a shorter fringe, I'd recommend keeping the edges soft. This will leave the haircut feeling modern without feeling runway style.'